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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Last summer the Boy came tearing into the house like a bat out of hell screaming about a bird in the garage. So I went to investigate. Sure enough, a humming bird was sitting on the windowsill dazed and confused.

I gently cupped the tiny bird into my hands and we took him out into the daylight. We held our breath as he sat on my palm trying to get his barrings. He was blue and green with sparks of bright red and he looked like a jewel all shiny and bright. We slowly let out our breath and just like that, he was gone.

Thom and I stood with our faces to the sun looking at the tree tops to see if we might just catch a glimpse of him one more time and contemplating the miracles of nature. It was one of those moments when you know you have been given a gift and you want it to last just a little bit longer.

This past weekend felt a little like that moment. Mindy Gledhill fluttered into my backyard on Saturday afternoon and proceeded to practice her music with her guitarist Joe.

Amelie played and danced on the patio.

I was upstairs sitting at my vanity, listening to Mindy sing, trying to apply eyeliner and crying it all off. Such was my disbelief at my good fortune.

The guests starting arriving at five. They bought raffle tickets. They mingled and talked and munched on appetizers. Dinner was served buffet style.

The sun set and we turned on the lights. Ben had strung market lights above the tables and they looked amazing twinkling like they tend to do.

And then Mindy sang under those lights, in a vintage dress, with her hair in a braid and her heart on her sleeve. Her voice floated high above the lights, and out into the darkness. Who knows how many ears she reached? Mothers putting their babies to bed? Friends sharing an evening on the back porch? Lonely souls? One can't really say.

But I will say this: I will never forget that night. It will be in my memory during my last days on earth and I will be glad that I put forth the effort to make it happen.

Thank you to all my friends that helped. You know who you are. Please call in a favor soon. I hate to be in anyone's debt.

Thank you to all my guests. You were extremely generous and because you were, we will be able to give our family in need a big helping hand.

Thank you Kelly of Bubba-loo for snapping some pics at the party so these here blog folk can have a looksy.